Zak Crawley has signed a one-year contract extension with Kent that will keep him at the county for an 11th season next summer. The England batter agreed the deal three days after the England and Wales Cricket Board left him off its updated list of central contracts.
The 28-year-old has not played a Test since the final match of England’s Ashes tour in Sydney last winter. His most recent England appearance came in a one-day international in Sri Lanka in January.
Strong season for Kent
Crawley played in 12 County Championship matches for Kent this season as they won promotion back to Division One. He scored 608 runs, with a top score of 89, and hit four half-centuries.
“It’s an exciting time as we head back into Division One of the County Championship and I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing for Kent this coming summer,” Crawley said.
“It’s great to see so many young players coming through the system here, similar to my journey into first-team cricket, and I’m excited to help them settle into the first team and further their development for the long term.”
The opener has made more than 180 appearances in all competitions for his home county since his debut in 2017.
International future in question
Crawley has played 64 Tests and nine ODIs for England. His place in the international set-up came under scrutiny during England’s 4-1 Ashes series defeat last winter.
Kent director of cricket Simon Cook praised the batter’s influence on and off the field.
“He is an extremely talented batter and is a huge presence in our dressing room,” Cook said.
“His experience of playing around the world not only benefits us on the field, but he is always willing to pass on his knowledge to our younger batters, something that will benefit us in the long term.”